Teen Books for SWANA Heritage MonthLike this list

20 items

• Darius the Great Is Not Okay

  Khorram, Adib

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  Named after a legendary leader, Darius feels the weight of the world when he travels to Iran, facing family issues, mental health struggles and an identity crisis. A heartfelt novel about love, family and discovering yourself, with humor…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow

  Katouh, Zoulfa,

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  Salama, a Syrian pharmacy student, desperately seeks a refugee boat to escape with her pregnant best friend. Amid loss and uncertainty, she must learn to see their struggle not as war, but as a revolution.

• Bright Red Fruit

  Elhillo, Safia,

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  Labeled a bad girl, Samira is grounded for the summer. She finds escape in slam poetry, learning about art, identity, love and herself. A gripping novel-in-verse for fans of The Poet X.

• Squire

  Shammas, Nadia

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  Writer Nadia Shammas and illustrator Sara Alfageeh blend their Arab heritage in this adventurous graphic novel, filled with swordfighting, disguises and sharp commentary on imperialism. Perfect for fans of Avatar: The Last Airbender!

• We Hunt the Flame

  Faizal, Hafsah,

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  In an ancient Arab-inspired kingdom, 17-year-old huntress Zafira disguises herself as a man to find a lost artifact that could restore magic to her cursed world. A tale of rich world-building, high stakes and a captivating romance.

• Ghady & Rawan

  Sharaf al-Dīn, Fāṭimah,

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  This epistolary novel explores bullying, family conflict, identity and belonging through letters between two best friends: Rawan, struggling with her parents in Lebanon, and Ghady, living in Brussels and longing for Beirut.

• A Guide to the Dark

  Metoui, Meriam,

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  During their spring break, Mira and Layla discover that people died in their hotel room. As they unravel this chilling mystery, they also confront their feelings for each other and what this means for their Egyptian and Tunisian families.

• They Called Me a Lioness

  a Palestinian Girl's Fight for Freedom

  Tamimi, Ahed, 2001-

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  A Palestinian activist, imprisoned at 16 after a clash with Israeli soldiers, shares the harsh realities of life under occupation in this powerful and unflinching memoir.

• The Next New Syrian Girl

  Shukairy, Ream,

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  A defiant Syrian-American boxer and an anxious refugee bond over the pressure to be perfect Syrian daughters and the repercussions of the Syrian Revolution both at home and abroad.

• Balcony on the Moon

  Coming of Age in Palestine

  Barakat, Ibtisam,

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  This lyrical memoir by poet Ibtisam Barakat transports you to 1970s Palestine, where the aftermath of the Six-Day War shapes her pursuit of writing and her mother’s newfound dream of seeking an education.

• Spice Road

  Ibrahim, Maiya,

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  In a richly imagined Arab-inspired fantasy by Lebanese-Australian author Maiya Ibrahim, a teen warrior embarks on a dangerous mission to find her elusive brother, rumored to be sharing her nation’s secret spice magic with outsiders.

• Ida in the Middle

  Murad, Nora Lester,

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  After eating a magical olive, eighth-grader Ida is transported to an alternate reality where her family never left Palestine. Torn between two versions of herself, Ida must decide who she wants to be and how to find her place in the world.

• Shubeik Lubeik

  Muḥammad, Dīnā,

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  Shubeik Lubek—“your wish is my command” in Arabic—follows three characters in a fantastical Cairo, where they battle bureaucracy and prejudice to make their biggest wishes come true. A wild mix of fantasy, feminism and politics!

• Something More

  Khalilieh, Jackie,

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  Jessie thought her biggest problem as a freshman would be convincing her Palestinian immigrant parents to upgrade her training bra. Instead, she learns to balance school and home life, while crushing on two boys and confronting her autism…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Travelers Along the Way

  a Robin Hood Remix

  Safi, Aminah Mae,

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  In this reimagining of Robin Hood, Rahma and her sister Zeena travel to Jerusalem for a final mission. Along the way, they form a band of misfits and become entangled in the politics of the Holy Land.

• It Won't Always Be Like This

  a Graphic Memoir

  Gharib, Malaka,

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  An intimate graphic memoir by journalist and cartoonist Malaka Gharib, detailing her experience living with her Egyptian father’s new family, forging unexpected bonds and navigating adolescence in an unfamiliar country.

• Only This Beautiful Moment

  Nazemian, Abdi,

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  Set between Tehran and Los Angeles, this multigenerational novel weaves three perspectives, honoring the fragile bonds of family, hidden historical secrets and the beautiful moments that shape who we are today.

• From Here

  a Memoir

  Mufleh, Luma,

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  In this candid memoir, refugee advocate Luma Mufleh shares her journey to reconcile her identity as a gay Muslim and a proud Arab-turned-American refugee, navigating the complexities of culture, faith and self-acceptance.

• Mirage

  Daud, Somaiya,

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  Blending Moroccan-inspired fantasy with interstellar sci-fi, this genre-defying novel follows Amani, whose dreams of escaping her occupied homeland are shattered when she’s kidnapped to serve as a body double for the empire’s disdained…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Huda F Are You

  Fahmy, Huda,

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  This graphic novel is a makeover montage in the making! Huda, known as "the girl with the hijab," moves to a new school and realizes she's no longer the only one. Now, she must figure out where she fits in the school’s social structure.